My point was really that I think Pog felt invincible prior to that race but to a rider of his calibre, Vingegaarde basically poked a bear with a stick.Originally Posted by Marco
My point was really that I think Pog felt invincible prior to that race but to a rider of his calibre, Vingegaarde basically poked a bear with a stick.
Last edited by PeteS; 24-04-2023 at 10:44 PM.
It was real class and I'm sure Tom would have called it a day on La Redoute without the sound of an English accent ringing in his ear!Poor YKW. Ah well.
I went to the start and my son and I gave Tom a cheer during the second presentation of the teams. Him being from Leeds an' all. Which the announcer mentioned to an obviously predominant (and possibly bemused) Belgian crowd.
That cheer probably kept Tom going for second place after Remco left him for deadI watched it live and there was never any doubt who would win, and with style, after YKW had his little problem. A display of real class.
Last edited by PeteS; 24-04-2023 at 10:40 PM.
Tom has a little way to go yet. But second isn't too bad.
As you know at team presentations the "stars" are invited to say a few words. Obviously this was in French and when Tom was invited to speak he just gave a dumb "Uh! I'm from Leeds and I ride for an English team" look and the interviewer quickly moved on. Pogacar trotted out the usual cliches - but in English and was so relaxed he commented on the bigger crowd compared to the similar team presentation on the previous day which had included the women riders (who start from Bastogne and so only do half the distance).
These things can go on and on so in the middle to break it up Dan Martin - who won in 2013 - came on to talk about his victory.
He spoke for a couple of minutes but of course in French - albeit with a Birmingham accent
Last edited by Graham Breeze; 25-04-2023 at 07:42 AM.
Got to love Dan - you can take the rider out of Birmingham...Tom has a little way to go yet. But second isn't too bad.
As you know at team presentations the "stars" are invited to say a few words. Obviously this was in French and when Tom was invited to speak he just gave a dumb "Uh! I'm from Leeds and I ride for an English team" look and the interviewer quickly moved on. Pogacar trotted out the usual cliches - but in English and was so relaxed he commented on the bigger crowd compared to the similar team presentation on the previous day which had included the women riders (who start from Bastogne and so only do half the distance).
These things can go on and on so in the middle to break it up Dan Martin - who won in 2013 - came on to talk about his victory.
He spoke for a couple of minutes but of course in French - albeit with a Birmingham accent
A broken wrist that requires surgery is a career-threatening injury for a pro cyclist.
The last time I can recall it happening to a really top pro was in 1977, when Belgian super star Freddy Maertens, resplendent in world champions jersey and just having won the Vuelta a Vuelta a España, (so more like Evenepoel than Pogačar), crashed. He'd already won the Tour of Sardinia, Semaine-Catalane and Paris-Nice stage races, plus the Omloop Het Volk classic. And then he won a record 13 (yes, thirteen) stages of the Vuelta a España* plus the points and overall. (* The race started in April back then.)
Four days after the Vuelta a España finished the Giro started, and Maertens won 7 of the first 11 stages. Then disaster struck on stage 12 when he tangled with Rik Van Lindon, the resulting crash led to 3 hours on the operating table. Maertens made a return to Pro cycling, but he was never the same again and struggled with his wrist for the rest of his career
Sadly, I can't see Pogačar returning to his early April form in time for the Tour de France. The wrist takes a hammering in cycling, so there has to be a question mark over whether we will see the Pogačar we know and love again. I'm hoping for the sport that we do, but it's far from guaranteed.
I would hope that there have been advances in orthopaedic surgery since 1977. Having said that, I can see that having a strong, supple and pain free wrist is pretty important for a top cyclist, and sometimes even the best treatment cannot fully reverse the effects of trauma.
A friend of mine is a retired orthopaedic surgeon and operated privately on a super bike rider after an accident at Donnington.
This rider went on to recover fully and win more than he had prior to the accident.
A rival came to my friend and asked him to the same operation, as he was convinced it had made the difference.
Thanks Marco. Such an Oracle on all cycling matters! Though one would hope given advances in modern medicine and Pogacar's youth, his recovery should be relatively speedy but no doubt will affect preparation for the tour.
Oh no Pete. You've used the O word!
Visibility good except in Hill Fog
Time to break out the stake and lots of garlic in case the beast awakes. Be afraid - be very afraid.
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